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While I want to attend (and always do) I have a major conflict on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon during that time frame. I am going to see if I can resolve the conflict so I wish to be considered as "planning to attend" but this conflict is going to present a big challenge for me. I hope it works out.

"Life in Lubbock, Texas, taught me two things: One is that God loves you and you're going to burn in hell. The other is that sex is the most awful, filthy thing on earth and you should save it for someone you love." - Butch Hancock, Musician, The Flatlanders

the best that i am able to say at this point is that it is a strong maybe.this would be my first and my partner Ken and I hopefully will attend.my health and ssdi are the current issues.wish i could be more definitive.

Thanks again Dennis for your always great work. It looks like yet another fine hotel, great location, ambiance and price.

Unfortunately the stars don't seem to be aligning for me to get to AMG '13 in Chicago this year. I have been most fortunate, a word that doesn't totally cover my feelings, to have been able to attend all past AMG's, the lifetime friends I have made I will always cherish. Memories that will be with me for all the days of my life. So as the say in Brooklyn, this ain't goodbye, only a brief hiatus. Getting back to seeing my friends here is a goal at the very top of my list.

I see Trey and maybe some others will get to go this year for the first time and I hope enough folks, new and regular attendees will respond to Dennis who has to book the hotel and it will carry on as usual this year. It is a great experience and too good to pass up. Really fun times and connecting with our fellow pozzies annually is a most spiritual feeling and gives us all so much hope that we will get together again the next year which we have done every year since 2005 !!!

Dennis always gets us a great deal and he and Phil are very adept at putting this together, smart and savvy guys. Many other folks, including the grants committee also do great work.

So if you have gone in the past or plan to, get to Chicago in August!

Hugs,Jody - 13 smiles for AMG '13

Logged

"Wake up to find out that you are the eyes of the world". "Try to discover that you are the song that the morning brings."

At this time I have approximately 8 definites. This is not enough for me to confirm a contract with the hotel. I am responsible for any unused room nights and would feel more comfortable committing with a higher attendance rate.

If you plan on attending AMG in Chicago and plan on attending please post below if you haven't done so already.

Once I have enough attendees I will confirm the contract and post details about how to make your reservation, as well as details about the meet and greet which will take place on the rooftop of the hotel this year.

Thanks Dennis . I really hate to do it but I think I'm going to have to withdraw my name on the list of attendees at this time . I wouldn't want you to be held responsible for my not folowing through at the last moment and I'm still not certain I can make it , so count me out .

I just took my son to Vegas for his birthday and spent way too much. I also have committed to taking my younger son on a cruise in August for his birthday. I cant really justify Chicago in July at this time. If I have a good quarter things might change and I will book at regular rates or try to room with someone at that time.

Sadly, David, Bonnie, and I won't be attending this year. David and I will have some big changes going on this summer which probably won't allow us to go. We've been to the past seven AMGs, and it's a tradition that we hate to break. We'll definitely try to be there next year!

Dear Dennis, you have done some wonderful work over the past 7 years, and helped many of us get to the AMG's, sadly I won't be attending this years AMG, I just had a 3 week holiday in Australia and have other plans for my winter break this year...again many thanks for all you have done.

Dear Dennis, you have done some wonderful work over the past 7 years, and helped many of us get to the AMG's, sadly I won't be attending this years AMG, I just had a 3 week holiday in Australia and have other plans for my winter break this year...again many thanks for all you have done.

Hello all. I find myself in quite a bind at the moment. Expected attendance for this year's AMG appears to have diminished from years past. For those that may not know, I take personal, financial responsibility when I sign a contract with a hotel for AMG. This years hotel contract requires 90% attrition. Based on responses thus far, I don't feel comfortable that we will make that.

Before scrapping the contract and suggesting everyone who will be attending book on their own, directly through the hotel, I'd like to see if there is anything that can be done to increase attendance. For those that cannot attend, or posted a maybe I'd like to explore ways to increase attendance this year.

Are the dates of August 9-13 all wrong? Unfortunately there wasn't much of a consensus in the time of year thread. Or perhaps the hotel and/or location are not satisfactory.

Thanks Dennis . I was one of the ones pushing Chicago this year but my main reason for withdrawing was not to put you in a bind . I Have several things I plan on doing this summer and a few of the plans have not been firmly set . I have friends in Chicago that I can stay with and I do plan on making it there just not sure when . If people wish to keep this hotel as the choice for AMG you can get a room right now on those dates for $149 and night , that's a $14 a night difference without the group discount . If I'm reading it right you can get a 15% discount for booking a room 14 days early , not sure if it applies though in this case .

Opening up the discussion about other options this year is a good idea . Thanks again for sorting all of this out .

well id like to have some structure, maybe some parties at the hotel. otherwise its just a meet up. its not really a gathering if people dont show up. I've heard of the other forum meetings and they were fun. this doesn't seem to be moving in that way

well id like to have some structure, maybe some parties at the hotel. otherwise its just a meet up. its not really a gathering if people dont show up. I've heard of the other forum meetings and they were fun. this doesn't seem to be moving in that way

Hubby and I have been to the previous seven AMG's, and all were fun. Each one was unique - never the same city, some variation in attendees, and different activities. The important part, for us, is that they were all fun. If we didn't have other things going on, we'd be there too. I have no doubt that this one will be fun and meaningful. Is it too early to start planning AMG 2014? ;-)

well id like to have some structure, maybe some parties at the hotel. otherwise its just a meet up. its not really a gathering if people don't show up. I've heard of the other forum meetings and they were fun. this doesn't seem to be moving in that way

I understand. There are typically two events in which all members attend. The meet and greet on Friday evening and the memorial on Saturday morning. Other than those two events, the weekend is pretty casual and informal. Members are free to come and go as they please. As early as day one, groups form and friendships emerge. Members come and go from the hotel throughout the day/evening sightseeing on their own, dinner in the evening, and typically there is a group that heads out to the local clubs nightly. Everyone does usually meet up around 5 or so in the hotel lobby bar for cocktails to make plans for that evening.

However, first things first. Before anything can be planned, a hotel contract needs to be secured. Once I have enough members who state they are definitely attending, I can finalize the contract. Once that is completed, I can then put together information for the meet and greet, which if all goes well, will take place on the hotel's rooftop. The cost of the meet and greet is also dependent on how many confirmed attendees there are. The more people who attend, the lower per person cost.

This is our (the members) gathering and it can be whatever you want. The organisers just needs to hear from you.

If everybody did that, then indeed, nobody else would be there! Seriously, if five people attend, it'll be fun. Now, I completely understand your disappointment at hubby and my absence (joke, BTW). I can pretty much guarantee that anybody who goes will have a good time... assuming that they at least try and are willing to have fun!

we always have pre-AMG drama...this year is no different. I have scheduling issues but am working on them. Some are "hedging" but this is a great location and I am willing to bet we will have a good group.

That said... Dennis has to have a sufficient number to get a preferred group rate and that will need to be quickly "nailed down." Hopefully enough of us will be able to give him the guarantee he needs. I am still marked down as planning to attend. I am confident I can work out my difficulty.

Yes, I am still planning to go. I will, of course, be traveling by train.

HUGS,

Mark

I might be also. I'm driving to Fort Wayne to visit family and will probably just take the train to Chicago because of parking. It's quite cheap to take the train that short distance. Except the damn checked luggage which is about the same cost as the fare.

Looking forward to our exploits.

Don't tell anyone, but there is a gay bar right across from the hotel.